Wireless device having movable antenna assembly and system and method for process monitoring

Abstract

A wireless device ( 150 ) and related method of monitoring or controlling a process includes a housing ( 200 ) having a mounting structure ( 300 ) for rigidly connecting the wireless device with respect to a solid surface, such as within a processing facility ( 125 ). An antenna assembly ( 250 ) has a movable connection (e.g., using set screw 310 and channel 425 ) with the housing ( 200 ), wherein the antenna assembly can be moved with respect to the housing ( 200 ), and wherein the movable connection maintains a hermetic seal and an explosion-proof flame path of the housing and the antenna assembly. The wireless device ( 150 ) can include a transmitter, receiver or a transceiver coupled to the antenna assembly ( 250 ), wherein the wireless device ( 150 ) is operable to wirelessly transmit using the antenna assembly to a remote receiver or receive information from a remotely located transmitter.

1. A wireless device operably coupled to a sensing device that captures data representative of one or more parameters of a process device or sample, the wireless device comprising:
 a housing having a mounting structure for rigidly connecting the wireless device with respect to the process device or sample; and 
 an antenna assembly having a movable connection with the housing, wherein the wireless device wirelessly transmits the data using the antenna assembly to a remote receiver or receives information from a remotely located transmitter, wherein the antenna assembly can be moved with respect to the housing, and wherein the movable connection maintains a hermetic seal and an explosion-proof flame path of the housing and the antenna assembly, the antenna assembly having an adapter or elbow with a channel formed along at least a portion of a circumference of the adapter or elbow, wherein the movable connection comprises a set screw, the channel and a sealing structure, and wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing. 
 
   
   
     2. The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel has a width, and wherein the width limits the amount of movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing. 
   
   
     3. The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the channel only partially circumscribes the adapter and has a length, and wherein the length limits the amount of movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing. 
   
   
     4. The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the movable connection comprises threads and a locking mechanism, and wherein the locking mechanism limits movement of the elbow with respect to the housing along the threads. 
   
   
     5. The wireless device of  claim 4 , wherein the antenna assembly has an opening therethrough, and wherein a potting compound is positioned in the opening. 
   
   
     6. The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna assembly has antenna housing, wherein, wherein the movable connection comprises the set screw, the channel and a first o-ring, wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the adapter with respect to the housing, wherein the antenna housing has a second o-ring, and wherein the adapter is connected to the antenna housing with threads. 
   
   
     7. The wireless device of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless device comprises a transmitter, receiver or transceiver. 
   
   
     8. A wireless device comprising:
 a housing having a mounting structure for rigidly connecting the wireless device with respect to a solid surface, and 
 an antenna assembly having a movable connection with the housing, wherein the antenna assembly can be moved with respect to the housing, and wherein the movable connection maintains a hermetic seal and an explosion-proof flame path of the housing and the antenna assembly, the antenna assembly having an adapter or elbow with a channel formed along at least a portion of a circumference of the adapter or elbow, wherein the movable connection comprises a set screw, the channel and a sealing structure, and wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing, and 
 a transmitter, a receiver or a transceiver coupled to the antenna assembly, wherein the wireless device is operable to wirelessly transmit using the antenna assembly to a remote receiver or receive information from a remotely located transmitter. 
 
   
   
     9. A wireless monitoring system for a process device or sample, the system comprising:
 a sensing device that captures data representative of one or more parameters of the process device or sample; 
 a wireless transmitter or transceiver operably coupled to the sensing device and having a housing and an antenna assembly, wherein the housing has a mounting structure for connecting the transmitter in proximity to the process device or sample, wherein the antenna assembly has a movable connection with the housing, wherein the antenna assembly can be moved with respect to the housing, and wherein the movable connection maintains a hermetic seal and an explosion-proof flame path of the housing and the antenna assembly, the antenna assembly having an adapter or elbow with a channel formed along at least a portion of a circumference of the adapter or elbow, wherein the movable connection comprises a set screw, the channel and a sealing structure, and wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing; and 
 a receiver remotely positioned from the wireless transmitter or transceiver, wherein the transmitter or transceiver wirelessly transmits the data using the antenna assembly to said receiver. 
 
   
   
     10. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the channel has a width and a length, and wherein at least one of the width or length limits the amount of movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing. 
   
   
     11. The system of  claim 9 , wherein the antenna assembly has antenna housing, wherein the movable connection comprises the set screw, the channel and a first o-ring, wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the adapter with respect to the housing, wherein the antenna housing has a second o-ring, and wherein the adapter is connected to the antenna housing. 
   
   
     12. A method of monitoring a process device or sample, the method comprising:
 providing a wireless transmitter or transceiver having an antenna assembly and a housing, the antenna assembly having a movable connection with the housing and an adapter or elbow with a channel formed along at least a portion of a circumference of the adapter or elbow, wherein the movable connection comprises a set screw, the channel and a sealing structure, and wherein the set screw travels along the channel to guide movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing; 
 adjusting a position of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing using the set screw while maintaining a hermetic seal and an explosion-proof flame path of the housing and the antenna assembly; 
 after said adjusting, measuring a signal strength of a signal transmitted by the wireless transmitter or transceiver at a receiver remotely located from the wireless transmitter or transceiver, and 
 determining a target position of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing based at least in part on the signal strength. 
 
   
   
     13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 capturing data representative of one or more parameters of the process device or sample; 
 providing the data to the wireless transmitter or transceiver; and 
 transmitting the data to the receiver. 
 
   
   
     14. The method of  claim 13 , further comprising limiting the movement of the antenna assembly with respect to the housing using a locking mechanism.